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AN 



ADDKE SS 



BEFORE THE 



WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, 



IN 



J\rEWBURTPORT, 



ON THE 



33d. OF FEB. 1816. 



BY EDWARD W. ANDREWS, A. M, 



PUBLISHED BY RllqUEST OF THE SOCIETY. 



NEWBURYPORT : 

PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM B. ALLEN & CO. 

No. 13, Cornhill. 
1816. 



A 



AN ADDRESS. 



IjET contemplatioii view the map of time, 
Survey each age, and traverse every clime ; 
How few the glowing forms of greatness rise ! 
How still more rare she feeds her raptured eyes 
With goo A and great's mild majesty combined 
To cheer, to brighten, and to bless mankind I 

Distant and few the sainted heroes stand, 
Like mountain summits when at Heaven's command 
The flood that swept away our guilty race 
Subsiding, left new crimes, new woes a place. 

Yet some, to favored man in mercy given, 
JIave proved their likeness to, their birth from. Heaven, 



Have twined the flowers of virtue in their bays ; 
And, while the lips can utter righteous praise, 
Shall hear, enthroned in glory in the skies, 
Sincerest honors to their names arise. 

For what is greatness gilded but with crime 
To purer goodness' monument sublime, 
A transcript fair of excellence Divine? — = 
Such glory, WASHINGTON, such praise, were thine. 

Or does that isle a shrine more worthy boast 
The sad retreat of him to virtue lost, 
Whose crown with horrid cyphers dark appears, 
The dire inscriptions of his rapid years ? 
Can Jaffa's, Enghein's murderer claim a wreath 
Wrought by the fingers but of sin and death? 

Though by stern justice' rigor Andre fell. 
The sleepless night, the aching day could tell 
Our WASHINGTON delighted not in blood. 
Though shed in self-defence, and for his country's good. 

But Gallia's tyger still more closely viewed, 
The more we love our Hero great and good. 



Napoleon's spirit, uncontrolled and wild, 
With deep and dismal stains impiety defiled: 
Now Peter's vicar dies in his embrace — 
Protestant now among Helvetia's race — 
In eastern realms he shouts "Our God is one — 
^^ His chosen prophet is Abdallah's son :" 
Not e'en a pitying Saviour's dying love 
Portrayed by genius his ice-soul can move — 
His wand'ring eye' bespeaks his roving mind, 
Deaf to the voice of Heaven, and to its radiance blind ! 
Yet, though to manly piety unknown, 
His fears and hopes delusive omens own ; 
In truth or in pretence their tales he pries, 
To "body forth" his coming destinies.* 

Columbia's chieftain freedom's flag unfurled. 
Strong in the Mighty Arm that rules the world; 
Nor fate nor chance disturbed his steadfast eye — 
Crod's will alone he knew is destiny, 



' The fact referred to, which comes second hand from an eye-witness, 
is, that during the solemnities of public worship, the eyes of Bonaparte, 
so far from being fixed in a devotional manner, were turned towards twen- 
ty different objects in the course of a minute. 

~ This fact is from the Secret Historv of the Cabinet of St. Cloud. 



6 



His baud aloue could grant desired success, 
And e'en defeat and disappointment bless. 

But see tbe monster, fiend in buman form, 
Witb vile seduction, innocence deform. 
And, damned to infamy in bistory's page, 
The scorn and borror of eacb listening age : 
His cold unfeeling beart tbe plea denies 
Tbat pity moves when frailty trembling lies ; 
Like tbe arch-sinner. Emperor of bell, 
Without temptation's lure the miscreant fell. 

His cruel acts, the world's unnumbered woes, 
The mingled sea whose turbid current flows 
From Europe's purpled fields to distant shores, 
And blood and tears in ghastly union pours. 
What strokes can image or what hues can paint? 
What ear endure the terror-thrilling plaint. 
The groans, the shrieks, the cursing prayers that rise 
From countless wretches to the avenging skies? 

At bome — espionage upheld thy throne, 
By dread suspicion traiterous friendship known — ^. 
Conscription's galling chains supplied thy host — - 
The press's freedom; freedom's guardian lost—* 



7 



One Bastile levelled with a nation's curse, 

That nation trembles at the sight of twenty worse. 

Abroad — no solemn leagues thy faith could bind ; 
Their scattered fragments danced upon the wind — 
Ambition pierced each dearest valued joy — 
Die, or submit — submission — yet destroy. 

O thou whose track, each fellest ill declares, 
With earthquake's sweep or Etna's stream compares, 
(No — nature^ s scenes in vain would strive to show 
The weltering trophies of thy guilty blow) — 
O may thy prison meliorate thy soul, 
And lead thy steps to virtue's sweet control; 
May true repentance, from thy Maker given, 
Impel thy feet to seek the gate of Heaven. 

But turn from odious vice your wearied view" 
To his pure fame, of clear and brilliant hue,^ 
Whose name, while godlike Virtue's self shall live, 



^ In the letter of the Senate of the United States to President Adams, 
occasioned by the death of Washington, it is said, "His fame is whiter 
than it is brilliant." 



8 



The wreck of vulgar greatness will survive, 
Around his country's greenest laurel's twined^ 
To fill with high resolves the generous mind, 
And in her sacred cause her faithful sons to bind. 

Search through the records of time's storied page^ 
Contemplate all his names of every age, 
Try the proud Grecian philosophic boast, 
And judge the seemly claims of Rome's bright host^ 
Her NuMA, Fabius, Cincinnatus, joined — 
By all the palm of merit is resigned 
To him Columbia boasts, the great and good^ 
Whose name adorns your social brotherhood : 
Only the special messengers of Heaven, 
Endued with powers by inspiration given, 
They, they alone can just exemption claim, 
Decked with the peerage of a loftier fame. 

Yes, WASHINGTOlSr, the puny pomp of kings 
Low at thy feet its humble incense brings, 
And in thy unassuming garb they own 
A splendor brighter than surrounds a throne. 
Thy fame's a column whose majestic base 
Is crowned with equal majesty and grace: 



9 



Eacb power subjected to its just control. 
Thy matchless glory forms a perfect whole. 

His first regards, to whom they first were owed^ 
Ou uncreated excellence bestowed, 
His works evinced liis piety sincere, 
And in blest union with his faith appear. 
When danger's elouds portentous gloom o'erspread, 
The christian Hero for his country prayed, 
In lone retirement raised to Heaven that prayer 
Which Jesus teaches is accepted there/ 

His private virtue pure as Zembla's snows 
A mellow lustre o'er his radiance throws. 
And in righteous recompense how blest 
In the dear partner of his duteous breast ! 
More genuine pleasure from this source he drew, 
Than all the bliss his public grandeur knew. 



^Aii anecdote which substantiates this assertion perhaps may not b* 
recollected by all. A member of the Society of Friends overheard the 
Christian soldier in a retired place, pouring out his prayers for his belov- 
ed and endangered country at the time of our revolutionary struggle. 



10 



Ye matrons, who would virtue's charms inspire 

In the sweet prattlers round your nursery fire, 

Ye fair, to cheer and bless creation born, 

Here learn each native beauty to adorn. 

Copy a model peerless in its claim : 

That model's ours, and WASHINGTON its name* 

In his meek Master's peaceful lessons* taught, 
Our man of honor quelled the vengeful thought. 
Nor dared to sport with life at fashion's call, 
That life a talent from the Lord of all. 

His public virtues, theme for distant song, 
Bid million voices grateful strains prolong. 
The plans sagacious of his mighty mind, 
His prudent shield and daring falchion, joined 
A land unskilled in war's dire work to save. 
And rear the dome of liberty on rude oppression's grave. 
Then Trenton, Monmouth and each kindred field. 
The inbred force of freedom's arm revealed. 
And taught the tutored veterans of death 
Our rights were yielded but with yielded breath. 
And see his uncorrupted hands restore 
The unsullied rods of delegated power, 



11 



Nor sei^e the people^'s sole prerogative, 

From usurpation's car his laws to give. 

But though he sought his unambitious seat, 

His country called him. from the loved retreat : 

He hears submissive the commanding voice, 

And rules these empires by united choice. 

And O how wise, beneficent his sway ! 

He steered through danger's rocks his cautious way. 

Nor mixed with Europe's blood-contending cries 

Our infant nation's fearful destinies. 

Did envy's cankered tooth assault his name? 

It showed the sterling texture of his fame. 

He yields again the ensigns of command. 

And tills once more his native spot of land. 

Again her foes his country's weal assail ; 

Again his aged limbs are clad in mail : 

And soon his sons the joys of peace resume 

But he who bought them slumbered in the tomb. 

Like the mild sun of an autumnal day 
His parting splendor beamed its golden ray. 
Like the full shock of richly ripened grain. 
He found by blissful proof " to die is gain." 
Yet though removed, beyond the reach of woe,, 
To perfect happiness ; our tears must flow^ 



12 



Sorrows keen barb our ficbing lieavts must prove 
For hira, the first iu war, in peace and in his country^s 
love. 

No common tributp decent leverence payed : 
But such the grief as, when sharp woes invade 
Our own domestic circle's cherished bound, 
The child's, the brother's mournful accents sound: 
While genius polished all his " words that burn/^ 
And full eulogium swelled around the urn. 

His life to copy, spread the heavenly light 
That guided their Great Father's footsteps riglit^j 
His sons unite beneath his sacred name, 
And swear the holy mantle ne'er to shame 5 
Like him, they vow, to fear the Power above. 
Like him, to walk in pure domestic love, 
Like him, each base ambitious wish withtsood. 
To think, to act for their dear country's good^ 
For her their wealth, their ease to sacrifice, 
And life and dearer fame itself despise. 

Since first commenced the union of the band^j 
Pistressful war has vexed our wearied land : 



13 



Restricted commerce' hectic seemed too slow, 
The murderous arm must strike tlie fatal blow. 
Glory to God, the Lord of hosts, who hurled 
From power's high throne the terror of the world. 
Napoleon's iron rod upheld no more, 
Napoleon's war deserts our rescued shore : 
And, though the Hydra's heads menaced anew, 
Britain's Alcides could the spell subdue : 
Glory to God for Wellington and Waterloo! 

Though full of fight, our chiefs, renowned in story. 
Thought race-horse speed would gain them richer glory; 
In vain New-Orleans, Baltimore, would claim 
Honor for those marked with so foul a shame j 
Yet these with naval valor joined will save 
The land of Washington from ruin's grave. 

Though soldiers, citizens.. ..the patriot STRONG 
Could guard your chartered privilege from wrong : 
To none who raised the empty tone of power 
His precious trust he rwidered for an hour. 

Beloved, revered and venerable Strong, 
Accept the homage of our grateful song. 



14 



Long may thy days glide on in heaven-like peace! 
Heaven the sure port, at which thy voyage shall ccase» 

We want not men who tread a ^^ zigzag" line. 
Nor those Democracy can say ^*are mine." 
Strong's principles we love : they've blest the State; 
And men like Strong our votes shall elevate. 

Prove that the love of wortli your bosoms fills. 
Let BROOKS and PHILLIPS rule your ^hundred hills/ 
The courtly Brooks, of WASHmGTON the friend, 
Whose mace can govern, or whose sword defend, 
The generous Phillips who his thousands gives 
To comfort mortal, save immortal lives. 

that a King, who once our city graced. 
Were at the helm of Federal Union placed ! 
How soon the track of WASHmGTON renewed, 
His guidance would insure his country's good. 
New -England see confirmed her every right. 
And freedom's foes in ignominious flight. 
In ashes hide their execrated heads, 
While o'er their deeds her veil oblivion spreads, 



15 



Or tmth displays on wisdom's warning page 
These rocks and quicksands to the future age i 

O had an abler voice your thoughts inspired, 
This eve with noblest resolutions fired 
Each youthful breast, each brother of the band 
That wears his name who saved our natal land 1 

He fought, but fought that Peace might spread its shade. 
May every nation sheath destructions blade. 
Extend mild reason's beneficial sway, 
And all united move the heaven- ward way ; 
Till Christ shall rule an empire here of love ; 
Then raise his fold to perfect peace above. 



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